[Former Member]

*bump*

C’mon out people!

[Former Member]

Slightly off-topic

With regards to skin-on-frame boats, I have a TRAK (16′, 1st gen). I can confirm that it is very much a “real” sea-kayak in terms of performance, handling, and set-up. I have paddled it in wind, waves, and with other paddlers in hard-shells. It will keep up on a day paddle, overnight, or weekend paddle (maintaining a 3 NM/H pace without heroic effort).

I cannot confirm it will be suitable for anything beyond a week. According to TRAK and their professional paddlers it can handle a multi-week trip. I have no reason to not believe them. I’m just saying I can’t confirm it personally.

I will echo Quirine’s comment about her Feathercraft that mine did not get as much use as I originally imagined, when it was sitting in my closet. It got way more use when it was fully assembled and sitting on the roof of my car, where it reminded me daily that I could be out paddling.

— Extended Discussion —

SoF boats do not have bulkheads, so packing and unpacking them is a huge PITA (and that is even with the convenience of the rear deck “zipper” access on the TRAK). Packed properly, you are no less safe with dry bags and a sea sock to ensure you are not flooded in a capsize. It’s just additional work loading and unloading your boat at launch and landing.

16′ (IMHO) gets tight for longer than 5 days. It’s not the gear you have to worry over. Clothes and camping gear remain fairly constant whether it’s overnight, a weekend, or longer. It’s volume requirements for fuel, food, and to a greater extent, water, that expands the longer and further you go out. You pretty much have to stick to backpacking style, freeze-dried everything, on trips where your companions are eating food with the water still in it. If that’s fun for you, no problem. I personally appreciate good food on Day 5 and beyond if at all possible.

For anyone considering buying a TRAK, I bought mine direct from TRAK at an end-of-season sale, that netted me the “nice” golf-bag kit, sea sock (a MUST have), and discount. Even with that, I experienced a bit of buyer’s remorse when I saw people posting their TRAK boats on Craigslist for about 3/4 of what I paid.

In summary, I like paddling my TRAK. It performs every bit as well as you’ve heard. Load it like any other real sea kayak and it behaves wonderfully. Unloaded, it is lighter than a Kevlar boat and easy to car top. The rub is just about everything else that isn’t those 2 things.

Finally, do not in any way let me persuade you for or against getting a TRAK. I post this simply to make it clear that I think this particular SoF is a “real” kayak, albeit with its own specific limitations.

[Kevin Amos]

Last Summer I joined Ecomarine on a monthly basis. It was awesome because it was so cheap to get out and just paddle from Granville Island or Jericho. This allowed me to try all sorts of boats and even go out in a double with a friend (additional charge) https://www.ecomarine.com/membership/

For club trips I pretty much used MEC and Ecomarine but for the Navigation Coarse I rented on Galiano Island.

Here is another option.

http://www.vancouveroceansports.ca/

 

[Quirine Schuyff]

Hi Kendra:

I was looking to buy a kayak finally after having the same issues as you.

I started out by going to Ecomarine’s Wednesday night kayak club at Jericho. You get to try different kayaks and paddle for a short time with others. I started to feel comfortable and bought my own.
I keep it at Jericho. I pay 99 for the year membership, and 150 for the storage for the year. It has opened up a whole new world for me and I don’t regret it for a second.

I used to own a Feathercraft and it sat under my bed for years.

[Calvin Sam]

SKABC is run by Volunteers and we cannot successfully run events without you. We are currently still recruiting volunteers for this years Paddle Film Festival to be held at Langara College Theatre on Friday, March 29, 2019.

Positions that we still need filling as below:

• Security
• Lighting and Audio/Visual
• Set up and/or Clean Up Crew
• Back up Cashier
• Host/Co-Host

If you are interested in helping out, please reach out to Calvin outreach@skabc.org or 604.561.7629

Thank you

[Nick Heath]

well said, Brian …and Barbara Holley and a colleague made a brief presentation at our last meeting, just four days ago, so that option is very practical, if slightly expensive. Some club programs don’t want you to take their boats away on trips elsewhere, but Locarno doesn’t have this restriction.

The storage of kayaks at various places including Barnet Marine Pk comes up from time to time. When I last checked, the fenced compound was run by the Burnaby Sailing Assn or similar club. Another place to check is the Old Mill Boathouse in Pt Moody which  is shared by a number of clubs and has inside and outside boat storage.

 

[Cynthia Materi]

The Burnaby Sailing Association operates out of Barnet Marine Park.  They have storage of private boats including kayaks.  Within the Association there is a Kayak Co-op.  My understanding is that they are full but you could check it out.  You can get information from getbsainfo@gmail.com.

I have also noticed the Burnaby Canoe & Kayak Club.  I don’t know anything about them but you could check them out.

[Clark Perry-Bater]

Hi Kendra, another of our members paddles a skin/frame inflatable (Trak is the brand I think) and she participates in lots of group paddles. I don’t think you need to feel limited by that type of kayak (if it’s a reputable manufacturer). As for storage places, I know there is a user group that stores their kayaks at Barnet Marine Park. I think the best way to find out about it is to contact the City of Burnaby Parks and Rec. I tried to find something online, but no luck.

[Maureen Benzon]

Another is Hollyburn in West Vancouver if that is more convenient.

http://hollyburnsailingclub.ca/coop/

I don’t know much about either.

 

[Brian Pegg]

Club Locarno kayak option is the closest thing I know to what you are asking

 

https://www.clublocarno.com/kayak

[Former Member]

Hi,

I am a Vancouver apartment dweller and I am feeling limited this year from trips because my kayak is a skin on frame/inflatable and I don’t want to push it in challenging conditions and put the group at risk.

I am looking for options for borrowing or storing a “real” ocean kayak.  Does anyone know of a kayak co-op in the area where I could buy into shared kayaks which could be signed out to take on trips?  I don’t think I’m ready to own my own, but I’d love to be in a kayak-share.

If this doesn’t exist, do any of you out there think this would be something worth looking into?

Also, does anyone know if there is available kayak storage at Barnet Marine Park.  On the map it looks like there is small craft storage, but I can’t find anything online about getting your name on a list to get a spot.

Than you for sharing your knowledge,

Kendra Fehr

 

[Henry Grayman]

Hi,

I would be interested in your Brittlestar paddle float. is it in good shape?

Henry Grayman

(604) 788-1504

Henrygrayman@hhotmail.com

[Former Member]

Mar 16, 17 looks like it will work!

The best campsites (IMHO) are at the mouth of Moyer Creek, about 5 minutes paddle from the narrows at the middle of the lake and around 2.5 – 3 hours paddle from the boat launch at the south end of the lake. I have base-camped there before and then explored the rest of the lake.

Depending on work schedules and who can come, this could be either 2 nights (Fri, Sat) or just overnight (Sat).

Also thinking this won’t be an official trip, so if you are interested in coming along, post here and then we can take it off-line to sort out the details!

Allan

 

[Quirine Schuyff]

I’m up for doing Mar 16/17. If we go somewhere we are allowed to have a fire that would be cozy! How about Alouette? I have never done anything on that lake and would like to. Or even up to Granite Falls. I’ve been there but not as an out and back kayak trip.

The Mar 30/31 weekend is right after the Film Fest which I’ll be working so won’t have much time to prep that evening.

Let me know what you think!

 

[Kathy Romses]

Coast Outdoors/Deep Cove Kayak Parking Lot sale

Saturday, March 30, 9-2

30-80% OFF (MSRP) | NEW, USED & DEMO GEAR
-RACE BOARDS – INFLATABLE SUPS – PADDLES-
– SURF SUPS – ALL ROUND BOARDS –
– SINGLE & DOUBLE KAYAKS – SURFSKIS –
– PADDLING GEAR –

[Author]

Replies